About the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states, Caribbean, and U.S. Virgin Islands. With a vision to live in a world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ makes for all people and creation, the ELCA strives to be a welcoming, thriving, and connected church that introduces people to Jesus so they can discover community, justice, and love.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

The Development team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Churchwide Organization is responsible for engaging donor members from across the ELCA ecology. Through Mission Support and Stewardship, Annual Giving, Institutional Giving, Transformational Giving, and the Development Services team, the Development team seeks to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors of all kinds as they support the variety of ministries the ELCA does as church together. 

About the synod

Northern Illinois Synod (nisynod.org)

The Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a gathering of people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world. Our mission is Walking Together - loving Christ, loving all, for the sake of the world. The synod is comprised of over 137 individual congregations with a total combined membership of more than 51,000 people. The synod covers the following counties in Northern Illinois: Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lee McHenry, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson, Warren, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago.

This is a full-time, term-contract (3 years), exempt, hybrid/location specific (must reside in the territory of the Northern Illinois Synod) churchwide employee position. 

Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Works actively to identify, define, and acquire funding resources, build new donor relationships, and maintain current high-capacity donor relationships. Work the assigned territory to assist people of high gift capacity to make gifts to local congregations, priority ministries of the Northern Illinois Synod and the ELCA Churchwide Organization. 

2. Works with key synod staff to develop a case for support for the funding priorities of the synod.

3. Works with key Churchwide Organization Development staff to develop a strategy for the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts for assigned programs and prospects.

4. Coordinate the development outreach efforts of Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod.

5. Manage ongoing relationships and tracking of portfolio and donor activities within Blackbaud CRM; ensures effective and appropriate stewardship.

6. Write acknowledgment, introduction and thank you letters as needed to manage prospects.

7. Develop annual appeal strategy and oversee effective execution and evaluation.

8. Other duties as required. 

1. 5+ years of experience in a related field.  Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Certified Fund-Raising Executive credential recommended. (CFRE)

2. Experience in capital campaigns, gift development, donor stewardship, and moves management. 

3. Demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals.

4. Proven relationship-building skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies. Ability to develop collaborative relationships across various departments, units, and expressions of the church.

5. Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

6. Demonstrated competency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.), CRM or other donor management systems.

7. Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, values, and goals of the ELCA and Northern Illinois Synod. 

8. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Christian stewardship. 

9. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Physical

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time and being able to travel regularly.  Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Travel

Extensive travel is required (50-70 %) to meet with donors, synods and congregations. Frequent travel over evenings and weekends. Valid driver’s license required. 

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 16 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact People Solutions (HR).

Salary 

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.